At long
last, summer is here, and you can finally enjoy a proper walk in the park
without having to endure the cold wind that freezes your fingers and cracks
your lips. While much of the country is planning picnics and posting pictures
of snowdrops on Instagram, this is the perfect time to check your air conditioner and get it ready for the new season. Before
you know it, summer is here, and you’ll need your AC to help you face the high
temperatures. Knock these ten things out of the way now to make sure your AC
unit will run at peak performance.
1. Have it checked
by a service technician
No need to call a technician if the air
conditioner is not broken, right? Wrong.
Although everything looks fine from the
outside, your AC may actually be on the verge of breaking down.
An old air conditioner will have to
work harder and longer to keep the heat at bay. Not to mention, it will
increase your bills. A technician will check the coolant levels and the
airflow, clean the coils and will get your AC ready for what’s to come.
2. Keep your AC
out of the sun
A system kept in the shade can be up to
10% more efficient than one kept in direct sunlight. Ideally, you should place
your AC on the north side of your house.
However, if that’s not possible, you
can use landscaping to your advantage. For instance, you can plant trees or
shrubs around the unit to protect it from sunlight. Make sure to leave
two-three feet between them and the AC so that you can have access for
maintenance and repair.
3. Seal the space
A window or door opened or other gaps
will bring heat inside your house forcing your system to work harder. The cool
air circulates in a sealed room making, it easier for the AC to maintain the
desired temperature. Don’t forget to close the vents to the lower portion of
the house as well since the basement is the coolest room in the house and the
air will naturally flow down there.
4. Close the
blinds and curtains
In fact, use anything to shade your
windows during the hottest part of the day. Pay special attention to the
windows facing south or west. Open them in the evening to allow heat out of
your house.
5. Turn on the fan
A fan will ease the load on the AC by
circulating the cold air throughout your home. More than that, it will save
energy since it uses less electricity than a 100-watt light bulb.
6. Install a
whole-house fan
A whole-house fan is more effective
than a ceiling fan at cooling the house, and it uses less energy than an AC.
These types of systems bring cold air from the outside through open windows and
eliminate the hot air from inside through the attic.
7. Set it and
forget it
Set your thermostat to 78 degrees F and
forget about it. If you think that setting it to 70 degrees will help to cool
your home faster, you’re up for disappointment. The AC cools at the same rate
no matter the setting.
8. Do the chores
at the right time
Not only that cleaning the house is
more comfortable in the evening or early morning than during the afternoon, but
it’s also better for your air conditioner. Every appliance you use, from the
washing machine to the vacuum and the dishwasher heat up your house. If you do
your chores during the hottest part of the day, your AC will have to work
harder to keep the house cool.
9. Rearrange your
furniture
Make sure there are no furniture
pieces, drapes or anything else that might block the vents. If the design of
your home doesn’t allow you to move the furniture around, install a vent air
deflector that can allow you to redirect the airflow where you want it.
10. Keep the AC lower at night or when you’re not home
78 degrees F is the perfect temperature
that ensures the AC is working at maximum efficiency and you’re comfortable.
However, you don’t need the same level of coolness during the night (or when
you’re away for that matter.) So, make sure to change the temperature setting
during the night or use the “sleep mode” if it has one.
With your drapes closed and the AC up
to 85, it will still be comfortable. That way, when you are awake or come back
home, it takes less power for the AC to start cooling off since the room is
already somewhat cool.
These are just a few options to help
your AC work more efficiently and save you some money, no matter the season.
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